Day Camp
Day Camp at Rodeph Sholom School is magical! That magic comes from a deep sense of connection; connection to community, connection to friends, connection to place, and connection to one’s self. At camp you have the chance to take risks and have new experiences surrounded by people who support you the whole way. You feel safe to fail, safe to laugh, safe to have fun, and safe to be silly. Camp is always where we feel our authentic selves, filled with wonder and curiosity; every camp day is a new adventure!
Enroll in camp for Summer 2023
Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp is devoted to celebrating the joys of childhood. Our enthusiastic and compassionate staff are dedicated to providing a memorable, safe, and fun summer experience where children pursue passions while gaining new experiences. Our thoughtful, age appropriate programming enables children to grow as individuals and make lifelong friendships.
Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp
At Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp, we believe children need camp to build friendships, build community, make connections, engage in a wide range of activities, have joyful moments, and experience the ruach (spirit) and magic that camp provides!
Who We Are
Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp engages children ages Three through 4th Grade through experiences that help build a positive sense of self, strong peer relationships, skill development in a range of areas, exposure to new and existing passions.
We are a strong community that celebrates each individual. Our camp feels like home to all of our campers and staff.
Our camp day will run from 9:00 am to 3:15 pm, Monday through Friday. The half day Threes program will run from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm, Monday through Friday. For an additional fee, families have the option to sign their children up for extended day, which runs until 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 5:00 pm on Fridays.
Our Mission
Our strong culture and community allows each child to discover new passions, create life-long friendships, and find a strong sense of belonging.
Unique Programs for Every Age
Click below to enroll in camp for summer 2023:
LOWER CAMP – RISING THREES, PRE-K, AND KINDERGARTEN
For our youngest campers, the days will be full of fascination, exploration, fun, and new experiences.
Our staff is full of professional educators dedicated to ensuring every child has the best possible experience each day they come to camp. Our campers at this age participate in a mix of activities that allow for skill-building, friendship-forming, and many chances to play.
We also have an on-site pool! Our youngest campers swim twice per day, once for instruction and once for free swim.
- Full day rising Threes have a daily story time and relaxation period. This is a chance to joyfully engage with children’s books and take solace in the experience that is the magical world of children’s literature.
- Rising Pre-Kindergarteners have Bunk Project Time daily. During this period, children will work on group and individual projects based in art, science, storytelling, and/or using their imagination.
- Rising Kindergarteners have bunk choice. During this period all campers gather in the gym and are given a choice between sports, arts, and more. While they each are making individual choices, they remain in the same place as their bunkmates so they feel safe and supported as they try new things.
UPPER CAMP – RISING 1ST THROUGH 4TH GRADERS
For our youngest campers, the days will be full of fascination, exploration, fun, and new experiences.
Our staff is full of professional educators dedicated to ensuring every child has the best possible experience each day they come to camp. Our campers at this age have a mix of activities that allow for skill building, friendship forming, and many chances to play.
We also have an on-site pool! This gives our youngest campers time to swim twice per day, once for instruction, and once for free swim.
- Full day rising Threes have a daily story time and relaxation period. This is a chance to joyfully engage with children’s books and take solace in the experience that is the magical world of children’s literature.
- Rising Pre-Kindergarteners have Bunk Project Time daily. During this period, children will work on group and individual projects based in art, science, storytelling, and/or using their imagination.
- Rising Kindergarteners have bunk choice. During this period all campers gather in the gym and are given a choice between sports, arts, and more. While they each are making individual choices, they remain in the same place as their bunkmates so they feel safe and supported as they try new things.
A Week in the Life
All campers will get the chance to participate in camp wide special events, including a Maccabiah game competition where the whole camp will compete to become champions.
There will be one special event each week of camp, which may include a theme day, a carnival, and more!
Every Friday at Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp we have Shabbat “Campfires,” where children have the opportunity to sit around a faux fire and reflect, share, sing and think about the camp week they just had and their goals for the following week. This is a great chance at the end of each session to say goodbye to friends who may not be returning, and recognize each other’s achievements.
Our #1 tradition is to be a place of spirit, cheer, and friendship every day. Campers arrive and dismiss while fun music is playing in their bunks ensuring every day starts and ends with a smile.
Our Lower Camp campers will attend trips within walking distance throughout the summer.
Upper Camp campers attend one Terrific Tuesday Trip each session. These trips could be to museums, outdoor activities, unique experiences, amusement parks and other attractions.
We have a nurse on staff and all of our staff are CPR/First Aid certified. A counselor always accompanies our Lower Camp campers to the nurse.
Campers have the option to receive lunch at camp for an additional fee.
For children who choose to bring their lunch, they should bring a kosher style, nut-free, packed lunch to camp with them each day. All campers receive two snacks as part of their camp day, including ice cream and challah on Fridays.
Camp Activities
Athletics & Outdoor Experiences
All of our campers participate in sports instruction multiple times a week. The coaches design activities for each age-group, and enable the campers to learn and grow throughout the summer.
Rising Threes and rising Kindergarteners have “Sports & Games” on their schedule throughout each week. This period takes place outside or in our Rodeph Sholom School gym designed for Early Childhood. These children will be exposed to many different sports and fitness skills and games planned for campers this age.
Each bunk of rising 1st through 6th graders will participate in a variety of scheduled sports throughout the week. Depending on interest, there can be opportunities for tournaments throughout the summer.
Swimming
Swimming and water safety are critical skills for children to learn. These skills allow children to be confident and safe in the water now and in the future. All campers work with Red Cross-certified instructors to become confident, safe, capable swimmers. All swimming takes place in our on-site, outdoor pools.
Lower Camp campers swim twice a day. During these sessions they will learn the joys of being in the water while developing foundational swimming skills.
Upper Camp campers have the chance to swim at least once a day for an extended period of time.
Arts
Our arts curriculum focuses on each young artists’ process. Along with their counselors and our specialists, campers have the opportunity to engage with a variety of mediums. In addition to studio arts, our campers will have the chance to be exposed to theater arts, music, dance, and culinary arts.
STEM
Every bunk has STEM activities on their weekly schedule. Our Lower Camp campers have STEM exploration which is screen free and age-appropriate explorations of basic concepts using blocks and low tech tools. Our Upper Camp campers get the chance to use Rodeph Sholom School’s Creation Lab to build skills and complete STEM challenges.
Dates and Rates
Full Season: June 26th – August 18th, 2023
Session 1: June 26 – July 7, 2023
Session 2: July 10 – July 21, 2023
Session 3: July 24 – August 4, 2023
Session 4: August 7 – August 18, 2023
Note: we are closed Monday, July 4th and Session 1 pricing will be prorated accordingly.
Families are encouraged to sign up for multiple sessions throughout the summer. These sessions do not have to be consecutive.
| Age Group | 2 Weeks | 4 Weeks | 8 Weeks |
| Half Day Rising Threes | $1,675 | $3,160 | $5,990 |
| Full Day Rising Threes through Kindergarten | $1,875 | $3,560 | $6,750 |
| Rising 1st through 4th Grade | $1,975 | $3,750 | $7,110 |
**$600.00 Deposit due at registration.
Balance is due in full by April 15th, 2023.
Early Enrollment Incentive and Sibling Discount
We offer a 10% discount to any family that registers by February 28th, 2023.
Any family who registers more than one child will receive a 5% discount for each child enrolled after the first sibling.
Refund Policies
- All payments, except a non-refundable $600 deposit, are fully refundable through April 15th, 2023.
- All enrollments after April 15th, 2023 are final and non-refundable.
- There are no refunds for absences, withdrawals, or terminations.
- If the camp needs to be closed for reasons related to COVID-19 for one week or more during the summer, payments will be refunded at the end of the summer at a prorated amount for days the camp is closed.
Enroll in camp for Summer 2023!
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY RODEPH SHOLOM SCHOOL DAY CAMP?
Much like Rodeph Sholom School, there is a certain magic and wonder in our community. Everyone feels welcomed and is a part of something special. Our unique programs, different for every age, ensures no two days are the same at Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp, while valuing the need for ritual and routine, and no two summers are the same.
WHY IS THERE A MINIMUM OF TWO-WEEK SESSIONS?
A sense of belonging is critical to a child’s (and all people) happiness and development. Camp is a critical part of children creating this sense of place. A two-week minimum allows for children to form a true connection to camp and the people here. The longer a child spends with us, the deeper their sense of belonging and connection will become.
HOW MANY CHILDREN AND STAFF ARE IN EACH BUNK?
This depends on the age, number of children enrolled at camp, and other factors. In general, there is 1 counselor per 6 students in a bunk and 1 counselor per 4 students in the pool. There are a minimum of two counselors per group. In addition, we have our camp administrators, nurses, specialists, and lifeguards always present.
WHERE IS RODEPH SHOLOM SCHOOL DAY CAMP LOCATED?
Lower Camp (rising Threes through Kindergarten) is located at 10 West 84th Street. This building houses Rodeph Sholom School’s Early Childhood Division throughout the school year.
Upper Camp (rising 1st through 6th Grade) is located at 168 West 79th Street. This building houses the Rodeph Sholom School’s Elementary and Middle School Divisions.
HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RODEPH SHOLOM SCHOOL DAY CAMP?
For additional information, please contact Ryan Allais at camp@rssnyc.org.
COVID-19 Updates
COHORTS
Our Lower Camp campers will be grouped according to their bunk.
FACE COVERINGS
Masks are remarkably effective at reducing the likelihood of transmission, and have become part of our daily lives! Masks will be optional for our 2023 camp season.
CLEANLINESS
Our school and day camp have always put great focus on sanitation and cleanliness. Along with our current school year, this summer will have special focus on sanitizing, disinfecting, and handwashing.
VENTILATION
Campers will spend the majority of the day outdoors, and when not outside, all windows will be kept open for ventilation. Every room at Rodeph Sholom School and Day Camp is equipped with UV-C and Hepa filters.
Working at Camp
At Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp, we carefully select our staff which is comprised of Rodeph Sholom School teachers and alumni, educational professionals, college students, and others who we see as outstanding camp role models.
Our staff sings, hugs, cheers, cares, nurtures, listens, learns, leads, understands, and upholds the Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp and Rodeph Sholom School standards and values. We seek dedicated individuals who want to help make each camper’s time at Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp the best it can possibly be. We spend our summers not only enriching our campers’ lives, but the lives of our staff as well. Camp positions run the duration of camp (June through August), and all staff are expected to participate fully in the program.
Working at Rodeph Sholom School Day Camp offers the opportunity to make life-long friends, develop personal and life skills, and participate in what we know can become one of the best summer experiences of your life.
Feel free to review the job descriptions here. If you are interested in joining the Rodeph Sholom Day Camp team, please fill out the application below. Feel free to email us at camp@rssnyc.org or call 646-438-8688 for more information.